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Commission confirms multiple board appointments; one transit appointment draws dissent
Summary
The commission approved several appointments — reappointing Matt Pea to the Audit Committee, reappointing Doug Spence and Kenneth Bruno to the Housing Authority, and appointing Channing Hartelius and Vernon Pedersen to the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission — and confirmed Carl Donovan to the Great Falls Transit District board over a 4-1 dissent from Commissioner Rick Tryon, who objected to bypassing the Transit District Bylaws' special-committee process.
The Great Falls City Commission voted on June 2 to confirm a slate of appointments to municipal boards and commissions, including a contested confirmation to the Great Falls Transit District board.
In routine votes, the commission reappointed Matt Pea to a three-year citizen term on the Audit Committee through June 30, 2029; reappointed Doug Spence to a five-year term on the Great Falls Housing Authority Board through June 30, 2031; and reappointed Kenneth Bruno for a two-year term through June 30, 2028. The commission also reappointed Channing Hartelius and appointed Vernon Pedersen to three-year terms on the Historic Preservation Advisory Commission through April 30, 2029. Each of those motions passed unanimously, 5-0.
A separate confirmation for the Great Falls Transit District board drew debate. City staff reported that Cascade County's election for two open Transit Board positions was canceled because no candidates filed by the Feb. 4 deadline; Carl Donovan completed an application with the county after missing the filing deadline because of medical issues and the County Commission appointed him to a four-year term from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2030. The City Commission was asked to confirm that appointment.
Commissioner Rick Tryon said he was "uncomfortable with the Commission effectively filling an elected position without voter participation" and stated his preference to follow the Transit District Bylaws, which provide for forming a special committee when an election cannot be held. Commissioner Shannon Wilson said the applicant had intended to file but was hospitalized and noted the difficulty recruiting candidates and that the County had already affirmed the appointment. Mayor Cory Reeves said his interpretation of the bylaws was that a special committee would only be necessary if the appointment were not approved and expressed support for confirming Donovan.
After discussion, Commissioner Wilson moved to confirm Carl Donovan to the Transit District board for a four-year term; the motion carried 4-1 with Commissioner Tryon dissenting.
The confirmed appointments will be effective according to the terms stated; no additional action was taken at the meeting regarding the remaining vacant transit seat.
